CalMac Ferry Hits Quay in Lochmaddy, Grounds Briefly
Image Courtesy: CalMacDue to a technical failure, the 2001-built Ro-Ro/Passenger ship MV Hebrides ran into trouble on Saturday morning as it crashed into harbour pontoons in the Lochmaddy port on North Uist, Scotland, and briefly grounded at the site.
The ferry, operated by the Scottish ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac), encountered issues as it was preparing to dock at the port.
Divers were scheduled to conduct an inspection of the below-water area of the hull on Sunday.
CalMac said that additional sailings would be provided to minimize the effects of the incident.
Namely, two return sailings, instead of the usual single return journey, was scheduled from Lochboisdale on South Uist to Mallaig for September 26.
Furthermore, additional return sailings were scheduled on the Berneray to Leverburgh, Isle of Harris, route.
“We are doing everything possible to ease disruption for our customers and apologise for the undoubted inconvenience which is being experienced,” said CalMac’s Operations Director Drew Collier.
At the time of the incident the vessel, which was en route from Tarbert to Lochmaddy, was reportedly carrying over 70 passengers.
UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has launched an investigation into the grounding of the ferry and its subsequent heavy contact with the quay.
